In this puzzle, he gets us on the road, and I was smiling by the time I ended my trip.

Tricky Clues

20A: Ah, Ogden Nash:

“The one-l lama, He's a priest. The two-l LLAMA, He's a beast. And I will bet A silk pajama There isn't any Three-l lllama.”

21A: I first thought the clue “Lure” was hinting at a synonym for a fishing lure, but I was wrong. We’re supposed to be thinking about “lure” as a verb, and the answer is TEMPT.

30D: Technically speaking, I suppose a WELCOME MAT is a sign of hospitality. Unless you are my sister, and your WELCOME MAT says “Oh no, not you again.”

Today’s Theme

Mr. Pepper offers us a set of six words that are portmanteaus consisting of an American state postal abbreviation and another word. Your job is to parse those abbreviations and words so they make an entirely different word. It really helps to know what the state nicknames are; I had trouble with some of them, and I can only imagine what international solvers will go through.

For example, the clue at 17A reads, “Psychedelic stuff from the Evergreen State?” and the answer — because of course it is — is WASHROOMS.

How did I get that? The Evergreen State is Washington, and it’s postal abbreviation is WA. Now add in some “psychedelic stuff” like ‘shrooms:

WA + ‘SHROOMS = WASHROOMS

Need a bit more help? Click on any clue below:

26A. Underwear from the First State?

DE (Delaware) + BRIEFS

DEBRIEFS

28A. Gambler's action in the Cornhusker State?

NE (Nebraska) + WAGER

NEW AGER

40A. Forest animal in the state nicknamed Old Dominion?

VA (Virginia) + MOOSE

VAMOOSE

51A. Highway divider in the Centennial State?

CO (Colorado) + MEDIAN

COMEDIAN

64. Pasta from the Golden State?

CA (California) + NOODLES

CANOODLES

Constructor Notes

VA MOOSE got me started on this silliness. My mind wants to re-parse words and phrases like there’s no TOM OR ROW.

Many thanks to Will, Joel and Sam for the encouraging words in the rejection letter I received with the first version of the puzzle. I’m grateful they opened the door for a second chance.

I smiled a lot in my search for theme answers. I hope some part of the solve brought a smile to your face as well!

Bonus round for anyone who enjoyed the first set:

Kilt wearers who’ve moved to the Bay State? (7)

100-meter dash in the Wolverine State? (8)

One-level home in the Palmetto State? (9)

Posting inflammatory comments online in the Quaker State? (10)

Talking out loud in the Sunshine State? (10)

Any place in the Heart of Dixie? (10)

Pink flower from the Hoosier State? (11)

The Tipping Point

Almost finished solving but need a bit more help? We’ve got you covered.